ALEKSA MANILA
COMMUNITY SESSIONS
DRAG, NOT DRUGS.
I AM GENDERQUEER
MY PRONOUNS
SHE / THEY
MANILA + PAMPANGA
I AM
MISS GAY FILIPINO, LA FEMME MAGNIFIQUE PUGET SOUND, MISS GAY SEATTLE + HONORARY MX. NEIGHBOURS NIGHTCLUB - AT PRIDE ASIA
EDUCATION
MSW, LICSWA, SUDP, MAP, ANGELES UNIVERSITY FOUNDATION, SEATTLE CENTRAL COLLEGE, UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON
Photography by Terrence Jeffrey Santos
HOW DID YOU COME TO UNDERSTAND YOUR IDENTITY?
As simple as the question sounds, it's been a journey of simplicity in words, complexity in time, and beauty in its experience. For about three decades now, my understanding of my "identity" has been evolving. When I think of "identity" - depending on the context, it can swing between my LGBTQ+ identity or my racial/ethnic/cultural identity, and so many other facets of my life. For the purpose of Filipinotown Magazine's Pride Issue, this is at least twofold.
Not that one is more important than the other, but my Fil-Am identity and my Genderqueer identity absolutely overlap and co-exist.
For obvious reasons, I've always known myself as Filipino, but with my family immigrating to the United States, I slowly embraced my Filipino-American identity while learning to navigate the diaspora. Though I was already in college when I emigrated the Philippines, I was still only 19 years old. So, a significant part of my young adulthood formed in Seattle. I was figuring out, not just my self, but also my social network outside of my family for support, camaraderie, and so on. Which leads me into my "coming out." I first came out as "gay" to my mom around the time I was in my first intimate relationship at age 22. I recall my mom saying, "You will always be my son, and nothing will ever change that. I love you for who you are." To say, I understood it then is an overstatement. Having grown-up in the Philippines, I thought being "gay" is to become the opposite sex or if you're born male then you would present or transition to femininity. The word "transgender" certainly did not enter my vocabulary then. Around age 25, I ventured into "drag" and started dressing up for fun, like for most people, it was on Halloween. I entered my first drag pageant at the Miss Gay Filipino at the Filipino Community of Seattle in 2001. I won every category, except Miss Congeniality. I phoned my mom, who was vacationing at the time, and told her that I had won my first drag pageant. She said, "I'm happy that you're doing something that makes you happy." Fast forward to now where my "drag," to say the least, has become more than just a stage persona or a performative extension or creative outlet for me, but part of my identity. In simple terms, yes, I am transgender, but much prefer genderqueer as it encompasses my sexual orientation and gender identity/expression. For political reasons, I honor my LGBTQ+ pioneers, by proudly saying I'm a "drag queen."
How do you feel about LGBTQ+ representation in Philippine media and pop culture?
This is a tough one. Though most of us, if not all of us, agree that in Philippine media and pop culture, LGBTQ+ "representation" is socially and widely accepted; it is still very much a stereotype, that is often and sadly, very negative. It is mostly used for comedic entertainment at the expense of real lived experiences of LGBTQ+ Filipinos. There is much to be desired for legal protections for LGBTQ+ people in the Philippines. Many LGBTQ+ representation are caricatures and does not fully represent the diverse and honored stories of our LGBTQ+ elders and youth. I often feel that the representations we do see just fall into the dichotomy of the hetero-normative binary. It is oftentimes masked in stigma and shame, especially with the backdrop of the Catholic church and its traditions. Though trans and drag pageants run amok during Fiestas, particularly at the height of the popularity and influence of Drag Race Philippines or Drag Den, there is still a lot of confusion and misunderstanding surrounding trans* versus gay identities.
MY PERSONAL MISSION STATEMENT
TO SEE A REFLECTION OF ONE'S JOY IN ANOTHER'S FACE.
For Seattle, Filipinotown is a new term. I brought this concept forward six years ago to the rainy city. City legislation seeking cultural preservation PRIDE to me is a lifelong journey of self-expression of love that is shared by community support. Pride represents the fight for equity and acceptance for the most marginalized of peoples based on their LGBTQ+ identities, and more so for Black, Indigenous and People Of Color trans* diverse individuals.
I celebrate PRIDE on a daily basis by living in my truth, spreading love and joy whenever possible.
My hope for the next generation of queer Filipinos is love and joy that they may live as authentically as their true selves for all eternity! May they never experience the heartbreak or pain and suffering of persecution and prosecution from their fellow humans.
(To the Filipinotown Magazine audience)
SALAMAT PO!
Accolades, awards, honors
2025
Empowered Filipinos, Dr. Jose P. Rizal Park & Bridge Foundation - Seattle,WA
2024
Leadership in Arts & Culture Award, International Examiner - Seattle, WA
2023
10-Year Anniversary, Drag Storytime with ALEKSA MANILA, Seattle Pridefest
2022
Featured, Emmy & GLAAD nominated PBS Documentary, CARETAKERS, Directed by Geena Rocero
2020
QLaw Board of Directors President's Award, presented by Matt Etter (2019-2020) - Seattle, WA
2019
Lifetime Achievement Award for Community Leadership, Bayanihan Award Filipino Community of Seattle
2018
Community Leader of the Year, The Greater Seattle Business Association Humanitarian Award
Centennial Honoree, Filipino Student Association at the University of WA
Community Champion - Seattle Women's Pride and Seattle Lesbian Organization Outstanding Leader, Seattle Mayor Jenny Durkan's Pride Award
2017
Recognition by the Washington State Division of Behavioral Health & Recovery for contribution to the Saying It Out Loud Conference
2016
Keynote Speaker (HB 1011), Seattle City Hall - Seattle, WA
2015
Keynote Speaker, Lavender Graduation at the University of Washington - Seattle WA
2014
Grand Marshal at the 40th Anniversary Seattle Pride Parade presented by Seattle Out & Proud Organization Seattle, WA
2013
Dr. Robert Wood Award for Excellence in HIV Prevention presented by Public Health Seattle & King County, Seattle, WA
2012
Legacy Award presented by Lifelong AIDS Alliance, HIV Vaccine Trials Unit and Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center for education, volunteerism and activism - Seattle, WA
2011
By Imperial Proclamation:Be it known throughout all Our Realm that HISM, Olympia XXXV, Aleksa Manila is hereby known as the Goddess of the Diamond Encrusted Mic and Asian Enchantress to His Majesty for Reign XXXII. Given by My hand, this 5th day of August, 2011 in the City of Tacoma, HMISM Emperor XXXII The Zeus Emperor Doug Foxx F.P. Snow
2009
Saint Imelda of the Shoe Climax, Our Lady of the Ancient Gods of Sexual Excess,
Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence - The Abbey of St. Joan
Empress to Empress Award, Empress Lexis Manila La Rose dela Luna, Imperial Court of All Montana
2008
Grand Duchess, Imperial Sovereign Court of the State of Montana
2007
Empress to Empress Award, Empress Jaylene of Vancouver, BC
Community Service Award, Washington State Men In Leather Organization
Peach Award for Volunteerism & Leadership, Fruit Bowl Awards, Seattle, WA
2006
Community Service Award, Generic Leather Productions of Washington, Seattle,WA
Jose Honors Award, International Court System, New York, NY
Sister to the Empress Award, Empress Chanel Cartier of Houston, TX
Sister to the Empress Award, Empress Alycia Day of Portland, OR
Empress to Empress Award, Empress Vi of Los Angeles & Hollywood, CA
2005
Court Member of the Month, Court of Seattle
Entertainer of the Year, Court of Everett, Everett, WA
President’s Award, Board of Directors- Court of Seattle
Miss Gay Latina XI Award, Entre Hermanos, Seattle, WA
Sister to the Emperor & Empress Award, Emperor Chris Horton & Empress Lala Too de San Diego
ISCS Survivor Diva Award, Empire of the Peace Arch, Surrey, BC
ISCS Idol Award, Empire of the Peace Arch, Surrey, BC
2004
Court Member of the Month, Court of Seattle
Court Member of the Year, Court of Seattle
“George Ray” Emperor Emeritus Award, Court of Seattle, Seattle, WA
President’s Award, Board of Directors- Court of Seattle
Songbird to the Emperor,The Empire of Snow and Ice, Everett, WA
Sister to the Emperor of the Royal Court of the Golden Spike Empire, Salt Lake City, UT
Best Individual in Theme, Coronation- Court of Tacoma
2003
Court Member of the Month, Court of Seattle
Court Member of the Year, Court of Seattle
“September Frost” All Season Award, United Ebony Council of Washington
Crowned the 40th Miss Gay Seattle, Court of Seattle
Miss Gay Tacoma Award, Court of Tacoma
2002
Founded the “Lola Maharlika” College Book Fund, Filipino Community of Seattle
Crowned La Femme Magnifique Puget Sound, Seattle, WA
Best Supporting Drag Queen, Miss Gay Seattle XXXVIII Award, Court of Seattle
Drag Performer of the Year, Spotlight Awards- Court of Seattle
Single Best Performer of the Year, Spotlight Awards- Court of Seattle
2001
Crowned Miss Gay Filipino, Filipino Community of Seattle